10 Great Fictional Reads for the Summer

Wish You Were Here? Summer in the Alps

At Home with…Claire {Clarina’s Contemplations}

Hello lovely readers, it’s Friday again. Yippee! As you read this, I am either driving 500 miles across France (probably with my sanity being severely tested) or zipping down a mountain avoiding the snow drifts and trying to remain accident-free.

Either way, welcome to this week’s edition of Little Loves. I do hope that you’ve had a positive week and managed to be on the receiving end of at least a little vitamin D. We’ve seen the return of some frost here but as you can see from my picture, the same scene as last week looks so much brighter with some sunshine. I’ve definitely noticed the days getting longer; what a welcome relief that is. Is it just me who hates February so much? I feel like we are in some kind of no man’s land awaiting the arrival of Spring and desperately trying to kiss goodbye to the January blues.

Anyway, what have I been loving this week?

Read

I’ve failed miserably on getting anywhere near the end of Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things – the January choice for Book Club 140. In case you hadn’t noticed, January ended over a week ago! I won’t be beating myself up though, it’s a monster of a book and very meaty so I need to be able to concentrate. I’m guessing I will have to bow out of February’s choice – perhaps I shall give myself the challenge of every other month instead of the whole 12 months. Ho hum.

I have however, read a few blog posts that I would like to share with you this week…

Social media is a strange beast isn’t it? On the whole, I fall into the ‘loving it’ camp but just occasionally, swing to hating it. Usually that signals that it’s time for me to back away. I love this post by Kirsten from We are THAT family. She explains 10 ways to ‘play nice’ on social media. I think we could probably all do with taking some lessons – teens and adults alike!

Probably one of the blogs I read the most at the moment, is Jess Soothill’s. Jess writes over at Mummy of Boy Girl Twins and actually I probably look at this blog much more than I read it.

Jess’s home and clothing taste is very similar to mine (in as much that I drool over pretty much everything she posts on Instagram!) so I really enjoy picking up some tips. Her recent post on wearing casual trousers instead of jeans, struck a chord because I bought a pair a few weeks ago and have yet to wear them. Perhaps now that I’ve braved the faux leather jacket, it’s time to take it up a notch!

Heard

I’m determined to start branching out a bit music-wise. In the car we always have Capital playing (I blame the teenagers for that) and in the house I often listen to Worship/Gospel music. I find it so uplifting and on a bad day, this music can totally turn my mindset around. I am currently listening to Kari Jobe, whose album ‘The Garden’ is beautiful and has the ability to bring such peace. Here’s a little taster for you…

Watched

I fancied going to the cinema on Saturday evening. Initially we thought about watching ‘Lion’ (it has amazing reviews) but as it was sold out when I went to book, my eldest daughter and I ended up watching ‘Split’ instead. Have you seen it? It really reminded me of Silence of the Lambs; the acting was absolutely incredible.

The main character in the film, has Dissociative Identity Disorder (multiple personalities) and every time he switches into another personality, he looks like an entirely different person! There were so many twists and turns, I was on the edge of my seat with my ears blocked 50% of the time (is it only me who finds films not as scary when the sound is muted?). Thoroughly embarrassed my daughter, so I call that a win!

Wore

The leather jacket has made an outing folks…in fact it’s made three outings! I’m totally loving it and as others suggested (when I questioned whether I might be too old for it) I don’t think I will have it off my back! The slightly colder weather has put a bit of a dampener on my enthusiasm but I think this is going to be a wardrobe staple for me.

What else? Well first up, I will admit to only ever considering the need to look after my skin, when I hit my mid thirties. Closing the door after the horse has bolted? Probably. Since then, I’ve become a bit addicted to trying new skincare products and this week it’s been the turn of Vita Bella’s anti-ageing serum.

I have a colleague who swears by hyaluronic acid as a great anti-ageing agent for the skin and given that she looks about 30 but has recently celebrated her 55th birthday, she’s a great advertisement. Hyaluronic acid is also rumoured to help keep joints supple, so I’ve been taking two capsules a day for about a month now.Whilst I’ve not yet found a new aptitude for doing the splits, I will try anything to aid this 45 year old body. I’ll let you know how I get on with the serum – I’m only 2 days in at the moment, so early days.

Made

We made some improvements to our new room this week. Does that count? The picture wall is only half complete because I’ve run out of Command strips (my husband will no longer allow me to bang nails into the walls!). I love this mirror which I ordered from Wayfair and it’s surprisingly light so Command strips also keep this held up and flush against the wall. It finishes our room off nicely, I think.

I intend to do a room tour once everything is complete. I’m still on the search for a decent sofa bed so that’s my next task. I just want to get it finished now!

And lastly…

I’ve struggled to find time to post on my blog this week. Sometimes life goes a bit crazy and spending time with family will always come first for me. We are looking forward to enjoying a holiday together next week, so I’ll be taking a mini break and will return the following week, hopefully with a room tour and a recipe for those scrummy red velvet cupcakes. Stay safe lovelies!

14 Comments

I’ll send you clear French motorways and then lots of snow as you get to the Alps – and then stalk you on Instagram for pretty snow pictures!! Your mirror looks gorgeous, I’m amazed it’s light enough to go up with command strips, it looks like it should weigh a ton!

Lovely little post. Oh I do love looking at Jess’ Instagram her pictures are lovely. Your mirror looks fab we keep meaning to buy one for our living room – they really finish a room. Have a lovely holiday xx

Haha I totally thought you made that mirror for a second then. It’s gorgeous. The song is really pretty, I can see why you love it so much! And I’m absolutely in love with Jess’s blog too! I saw her new rug on there the other day and just had to run out and buy it. Oops! #LittleLoves xx

500 miles that’s a long journey hope you are in la belle France safely and still sane. Command strips are great I use them for all my seasonal decorations and they’ve never marked the walls yet. Bonnes vacances x

Enjoy your holiday! Glad to hear the jacket has made its debut. I haven’t heard of Split, but having been to watch T2 last week I won’t be due another cinema trip in ages!
I actually like February, because the evenings are getting lighter and it’s so short, so we’re nearer to March and spring than we think we are, if that makes sense!

I really like Kari Jobe, but hadn’t heard that song and I really enjoyed it so thank you for sharing it.
Let us know how you get on with the serum. I’m going to pick up some hyaluronic acid next time I’m in Holland and Barrett.
I hope that you are having a wonderful holiday and that you get plenty of snow this time!

Couldn’t agree more I adore Jess wardrobe style and trends. I am always looking for her to get ideas and see what I should be wearing or buying hahaha Do it. I need to stop with the colored jeans. That’s all I live in. hahaha Haven’t heard this song before. Hope you are enjoying your holiday. #littleloves

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Hey there, thanks for dropping by. I'm Suzanne and Inside, Outside & Beyond is my quest to find out if there is 'life after the school run'. With all three children now at secondary school, it's time to find me...the coffee-loving, shoe-obsessed (you can never have too many, right?) 40-something me, who loves a new challenge and is a little bit addicted to over-sharing. Join me?

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